Michael Grimm

Manager Manufacturing Industry | Digitalization in Operations | Smart Manufacturing | AI on Shopfloor

Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

About

I focus on digitalization in production, helping industrial organizations translate Smart Manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and AI ambitions into scalable transformation initiatives. My professional background combines strategic consulting with hands-on experience in engineering, manufacturing, product development, validation and continuous improvement. This allows me to connect corporate transformation objectives with the operational realities of production environments. I support manufacturing clients in assessing digital and AI maturity, identifying high-value use cases, defining transformation roadmaps and standardizing initiatives across production networks. My project experience includes SIRI-based Industry 4.0 maturity assessments, AI readiness assessments, shopfloor-focused transformation roadmaps, security and governance programs, technology PoCs and cross-functional rollout projects. I'm particularly interested in the strategic application of AI on the shopfloor - from data readiness and use case identification to scalable implementation models that improve operational performance, transparency and decision-making in production.

Experience

  • Manager Manufacturing Industry at Detecon International
    Aug 2023 - Present · 3 yrs

    Driving digital transformation in operations and production with a focus on Smart Manufacturing, Industry 4.0, AI readiness and scalable transformation across industrial production networks. As Manager Manufacturing Industry, I support manufacturing organizations in assessing their digital and AI maturity, defining strategic transformation roadmaps, and translating Industry 4.0 ambitions into pragmatic initiatives for production, engineering and corporate functions.   Key focus areas: - Digitalization strategy for operations, production and manufacturing networks - Smart Manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and industrial transformation roadmaps - AI readiness assessments and AI use case identification for the shopfloor - Standardization of transformation approaches across multiple plants - Development of scalable, data-driven use cases in manufacturing and engineering - Business development and client engagement in the manufacturing industry Selected project experience: - Smart Manufacturing & Industry 4.0 and AI assessments across multiple production sites in Europe, Asia and North America - Development of digital transformation roadmaps and standardization measures for global manufacturing networks - Strategic advisory for information security, NIS2 readiness, product security, supply chain security and governance in a high-tech manufacturing environment - Project management for industrial technology PoCs, including requirements, test cases, integration planning and solution design - Cross-functional transformation leadership for process design, IT requirements, pilot execution and rollout preparation

  • Kautex Textron ()
    • Engineering Manager Design
      Jul 2021 - Jun 2023 · 2 yrs

      Led a regional engineering design team responsible for the development of automotive components and systems across battery housing, fuel tank and SCR-related customer projects. This role strengthened my leadership experience in product development, engineering operations and cross-functional collaboration between design, validation, manufacturing and program management.  Key responsibilities: - Led and developed a regional design engineering team - Managed design activities for battery housing, fuel tank and SCR system components - Coordinated technical interfaces across product engineering, validation, manufacturing and program management - Ensured technical feasibility, design quality and alignment with customer and production requirements - Supported engineering decision-making from concept and development through industrialization - Contributed to the translation of customer requirements into robust engineering and manufacturing solutions

    • Engineer Validation Change Projects
      Aug 2019 - Jul 2021 · 2 yrs

      Managed projects in virtual product and design validation with global responsibility for the development and integration of new simulation and validation methods. This role built the foundation for my current focus on data-driven engineering, digital validation and scalable methods in industrial organizations. Key responsibilities: - Led virtual product validation and design verification initiatives - Developed and integrated new simulation methods into global engineering processes - Coordinated stakeholders across engineering, validation, product development and manufacturing - Supported the shift from physical testing towards simulation-driven development - Improved standardization and methodological consistency in validation workflows - Connected engineering requirements with digital methods and process improvement

    • Trainee
      May 2017 - Jul 2019 · 2 yrs 3 mos

      Completed an international engineering development program with rotations across production, product engineering, advanced manufacturing engineering and innovation. This experience built the operational foundation for my current focus on digitalization in operations and production. By working directly in plant environments, engineering functions and innovation projects, I developed a practical understanding of shopfloor processes, manufacturing challenges and the interface between physical production systems and digital technologies. Key focus areas: - Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement and shopfloor process optimization - Advanced manufacturing engineering and troubleshooting in an international plant environment - Product engineering and technical project coordination for automotive systems - Innovation projects at the interface of mobility, embedded systems and software prototyping - Cross-functional collaboration across production, engineering, innovation and program management

  • Kautex Textron ()
    • Master's Thesis - Core Manufacturing
      May 2016 - Dec 2016 · 8 mos

      Completed a master's thesis in core manufacturing focused on process optimization in plastic fuel tank production.  Focus areas: - Optimization of an internal post-cooling system in fuel tank production - Analysis of back-pressure-based process parameters - Manufacturing process improvement and technical evaluation - Practical application of engineering methods in an industrial production environment

    • Internship - Program Management
      Dec 2015 - Apr 2016 · 5 mos

      Supported program management activities in automotive manufacturing projects. Key contributions: - Supported budget and timeline planning - Coordinated project activities and stakeholder communication - Assisted in project documentation, planning and follow-up - Gained early experience in cross-functional project management within an automotive manufacturing environment

  • Student Assistant at RWTH Aachen University
    Nov 2013 - Mar 2014 · 5 mos

    Chair of Technical Thermodynamics, Cluster of Excellence Tailor-Made Fuels from Biomass. Determination of distribution coefficients for model-based evaluation of the solvent extraction of itaconic acid in the system water and 3-MTHF.

  • Internship - Research and Development - Thermal Management at Daimler AG
    Oct 2012 - Mar 2013 · 6 mos

    High voltage battery design and testing, thermal management HV components of Mercedes S-Class